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Multiple-Meaning Words

A multiple-meaning word is spelled and said the same way but means different things: a bat flies at night, and you hit a ball with a bat. Context is the only clue, which is why these words are such good reading practice.

Here are 124 multiple-meaning words from past ClueBy puzzles, each with a real example sentence for every meaning. Use them as a reference, or make a printable worksheet below.

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Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  2. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  3. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  4. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  5. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  6. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  7. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  8. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  9. The stadium has a track around the football ________________.
  10. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  11. Vegetables are growing on this ________________.
  12. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  13. The tickets are free of ________________.
  14. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  15. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  16. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  17. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  18. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  19. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  20. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  21. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  22. She's an expert in the ________________ of medicine.
  23. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  24. What do you think of the new ________________?

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com

Answer key

  1. bore — to drill
  2. current — of water
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. hide — animal skin
  5. rock — music
  6. rock — to move gently
  7. current — happening now
  8. current — electric
  9. field — for sport
  10. safe — a strongbox
  11. field — farmland
  12. hide — to keep secret
  13. charge — a price
  14. cabinet — a cupboard
  15. charge — electricity
  16. bore — to tire
  17. rock — a stone
  18. charge — in control
  19. bore — gave birth
  20. hide — to keep secret
  21. cabinet — ministers
  22. field — a subject
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. cabinet — ministers

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

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Frequently asked questions

What are multiple-meaning words?

Words with the same spelling and pronunciation but more than one meaning, like bark (of a dog or of a tree) or bank (for money or of a river). You can only tell which meaning is meant from the rest of the sentence.

Are multiple-meaning words the same as homonyms?

Mostly, yes. Teachers often use "multiple-meaning words" and "homonyms" for the same idea. Homophones are different: they sound alike but are spelled differently, like flour and flower.

Are the worksheets free?

Yes. Make and print as many as you like for home or classroom use. Each sheet has its own link, so you can print the same one again.

Where do the words come from?

From past ClueBy puzzles, a daily game where you sort twelve sentences by their missing word. A new puzzle every day adds four more words to this list.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com